38 U.S. Code § 2302 - Funeral expenses

(1)who at the time of death was in receipt of compensation (or but for the receipt of retirement pay would have been entitled to compensation) or was in receipt of pension, or

(2)who was a veteran of any war or was discharged or released from the active military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, whose body is held by a State (or a political subdivision of a State), and with respect to whom the Secretary determines—

(A)that there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body of the deceased veteran, and

(B)that there are not available sufficient resources to cover burial and funeral expenses,

the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, having due regard to the circumstances in each case, may pay a sum not exceeding $300 to such person as the Secretary prescribes to cover the burial and funeral expenses of the deceased veteran and the expense of preparing the body and transporting it to the place of burial. For the purpose of this subsection, the term “veteran” includes a person who died during a period deemed to be active military, naval, or air service under section
106(c) of this title.

(b)Except as hereafter provided in this subsection, no deduction shall be made from the burial allowance because of the veteran’s net assets at the time of the death of such veteran, or because of any contribution from any source toward the burial and funeral expenses (including transportation) unless the amount of expenses incurred is covered by the amount actually paid therefor by the United States, a State, any agency or political subdivision of the United States or of a State, or the employer of the deceased veteran. No claim shall be allowed

(1) for more than the difference between the entire amount of the expenses incurred and the amount paid by any or all of the foregoing, or

(2) when the burial allowance would revert to the funds of a public or private organization or would discharge such an organization’s obligation without payment. The burial allowance or any part thereof shall not be paid in any case where specific provision is otherwise made for payment of expenses of funeral, transportation, and interment under any other Act.

Pub. L. 112–260, title I, § 104(b)(1), (3),Jan. 10, 2013, 126 Stat. 2420, provided that, effective on the date that is one year after Jan. 10, 2013, and applicable with respect to burials and funerals occurring on or after that date, subsection (a)(2) of this section is amended by striking “who was a veteran of any war or was discharged or released from the active military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, whose body is held by a State (or a political subdivision of a State), and”. See 2013 Amendment note below.

Amendments

2013—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 112–260struck out “who was a veteran of any war or was discharged or released from the active military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, whose body is held by a State (or a political subdivision of a State), and” before “with respect to whom” in introductory provisions.

1982—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–306substituted requirement of a deceased veteran who at the time of death was in receipt of compensation (or but for the receipt of retirement pay would have been entitled to compensation) or was in receipt of pension, or who was a veteran of any war or was discharged or released from the active military, naval, or air service for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, whose body is held by a State (or a political subdivision of a State), and with respect to whom the Administrator determines that there is no next of kin or other person claiming the body of the deceased veteran, and that there are not available sufficient resources to cover burial and funeral expenses, for requirement of a veteran who dies in receipt of compensation (or but for the receipt of retirement pay would have been entitled to compensation) or in receipt of pension.

1981—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–35substituted provisions relating to death of a veteran in receipt of compensation or a pension, for provisions relating to a veteran who dies of a service-connected disability, or who was a veteran of any war, discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty, or in receipt of disability compensation.

1966—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–360extended authorized burial allowance to include peacetime veterans who die of a service connected disability but who have neither applied for disability compensation for disability nor been discharged for disability.

1964—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 88–359provided that no claim shall be allowed when allowance would revert to the funds of a public or private organization, or would discharge such an organization’s obligation without payment, and struck out requirement that amounts paid by burial associations toward burial and funeral expenses be deducted prior to payment of allowance.

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–260, title I, § 104(b)(3),Jan. 10, 2013, 126 Stat. 2420, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section
2308 of this title] shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 10, 2013] and shall apply with respect to burials and funerals occurring on or after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.”